Michael Clarke comeback: Ex-Australia captain to come out of retirement

Michael Clarke scored 8,643 runs in Tests and 7,981 in one-day internationals

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has announced he will come out of retirement in February.

Clarke, who quit after last summer's Ashes, will play for Sydney grade team Western Suburbs on February 20-21.

"I've realised the game of cricket is in my blood," said 34-year-old Clarke.

"I'll start with this grade game and see if I miss it as much as I feel like I'm going to. If I do, the option is there to train the entire winter and then we'll see what happens."

Western Suburbs, the club Clarke played for as a youngster, face Randwick Petersham in a two-day first grade match at Pratten Park starting on February 20.

Clarke played 115 Tests and 245 one-day internationals for Australia, but struggled with back injuries throughout his career.

He said his comeback will primarily focus on limited-overs cricket.

"My focus is definitely the shorter format of the game," said Clarke, who added that he would "love to be a part" of Australia's Big Bash League, the Indian Premier League and English county cricket.

"There's possibly even Sheffield Shield cricket for New South Wales," he said.

"All I know is, I'll never say never to anything. I'll start with Western Suburbs and we will see where it takes me."